ROCK Pi 4 : Overview | Installation

Features

Model	ROCK PI 4 Model A	ROCK PI 4 Model B
Processor	64bits hexa core processor Rockchip RK3399 Dual Cortex-72, frequency 1.8GHz with qual Cortex-A53, frequency 1.4GHz Mali T860MP4 gpu, support OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0/3.0/3.1/3.2, Vulkan 1.0, Open CL 1.1 1.2, DX11.
Memory	LPDDR4 64bit dual channel LPDDR4@3200Mb/s, 1GB/2GB/4GB optioal
Storage	eMMC module (Optional industrial compatible high performance eMMC module, 8GB/16GB/32GB/64GB/128GB available) uSD card (uSD slot supports up to 128 GB uSD card) M.2 SSD (M.2 connector supports up to 2T M2 NVME SSD)
Display	HDMI 2.0 up to 4k@60 MIPI DSI 2 lanes via FPC connector HDMI and MIPI DSI can work at the same time, support mirror mode or extend mode.
Audio	3.5mm jack with mic HD codec that supports up to 24-bit/96KHz audio.
Camera	MIPI CSI 2 lanes via FPC connector, support up to 800 MP camera.
Wireless	None	802.11 ac wifi Bluetooth 5.0 with on board antenna
USB	USB 3.0 OTG X1, hardware switch for host/device switch, upper one USB 3.0 HOST X1, dedicated USB 3.0 channel, lower one USB 2.0 HOST X2
Ethernet	GbE LAN	GbE LAN with PoE support additional HAT is required for powering from PoE
IO	40-pin expansion header 1 x UART 2 x SPI bus 2 x I2C bus 1 x PCM/I2S 1 x SPDIF 1 x PWM 1 x ADC 6 x GPIO 2 x 5V DC power in 2 x 3.3V DC power in
Others	RTC RTC battery connector for time backup(optioal)
Power	USB PD, support USB Type C PD 2.0, 9V/2A, 12V/2A, 15V/2A, 20V/2A. Qualcomm® Quick ChargeTM: Supports QC 3.0/2.0 adapter, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A
Size	85mm x 54mm

Rock Pi 4 Firmware Images

5 images are currently available to flash. With 2 more in the works

• Provided by Radxa
  • Android TV
  • Android
  • Debian Desktop
  • Ubuntu Server
• Third Party
  • Armbian 5.67
  • BRecalbox
  • LibreELEC

Flashing is easy with Etcher and I had no issues on the ones I have looked at so far.

Installtion

Install on microSD

Step1: Requirements

This page describe how to download and install the image on a microSD card and boot on ROCK Pi 4. You need at least the following.

• ROCK Pi 4 board with power supply
• a microSD card, larger than 8GB, class 10 or better
• a microSD card reader, either a USB card reader or the SD card reader on laptop
• a PC/laptop running Windows or Linux or MacOS

Step 2: Download necessary tools and image

• Etcher is the tool we use to write image. Download the right Etcher for your PC from Rockpi4/downloads page and install it. Check [Etcher website] for more info about Etcher.

You may like also: Etcher – Flash OS images to SD cards & USB drives, safely and easily

• Choose the image you want to install from Rockpi4/downloads page and unzip it. The unzipped image name is like below:

   rockpi4_debian_stretch_lxde_armhf_20181105_2120-gpt.img

We will use it for the writing.

Step 3: Write the image to microSD card

1. Insert the uSD Card into uSD Card Reader, which connects to host computer.

2. Run the application, for example, by executing the command on Ubuntu 16.04:

   $ /bin/bash etcher-etcher-electron-1.4.5-x86_64.AppImage

1. In the etcher window, we click button Select image.

1. In the etcher window, we click button Select Drive.

1. In the etcher window, we click button Flash.

1. In the etcher window, it shows us Flash Complete!

Done! Now you have successfully installed the OS image on microSD card.

Install on eMMC module

Step1: Requirements

This page describe how to download and install the image on an eMMC module and boot on ROCK Pi 4. You need at least the following.

• an eMMC module, you can buy it from radxa distributor, the eMMC module from Odroid or PINE64 also works on ROCK Pi 4.
• an eMMC to microSD breakout board

• a microSD card reader, either a USB card reader or the SD card reader on laptop
• a PC/laptop running Windows or Linux or MacOS

You also need the following to run on ROCK Pi 4

• ROCK Pi 4 board with power supply
• HDMI cable for display
• USB keyboard and mouse for input

Step 2: Download necessary tools and image

• Etcher is the tool we use to write image. Download the right Etcher for your PC from Rockpi4/downloads page and install it. Check [Etcher website] for more info about Etcher.

You may like also: Etcher – Flash OS images to SD cards & USB drives, safely and easily

• Choose the image you want to install from Rockpi4/downloads page and unzip it. The unzipped image name is like below:

   rockpi4_debian_stretch_lxde_armhf_20181105_2120-gpt.img

We will use it for the writing.

Step 3: Write the image to microSD card

3.1 Plug and click the eMMC module to the eMMC to uSD breakout board, plug the breakout board to microSD card reader. Plug the card reader on PC.

3.2 Run the application, for example, by executing the command on Ubuntu 16.04:

   $ /bin/bash etcher-etcher-electron-1.4.5-x86_64.AppImage

3.3 In the etcher window, we click button Select image.

3.4 In the etcher window, we click button Select Drive.

3.5 In the etcher window, we click button Flash.

3.6 In the etcher window, it shows us Flash Complete!

Done! Now you have successfully installed the OS image on eMMC module.

Step 4: Boot on ROCK Pi 4

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